In 2009 GameTZ had over 4800 registered traders/active accounts (GameTZ about page). All these members share the same love for games, music, movies, books, etc; which unites it more as a culture, focusing on forms of entertainment instead of trading all sorts of things. It is made up of traders. Any outside person can learn about and “browse” through the site, but in order to trade with other or interact with any member, you have to be a member (register and login) which is free. However, members that pay to subscribe have access to various extra features, but non-subscribers (all members) have full access to all the main trading features. Non-subscribers can make offers, get contact info, use the forums and chat. Becoming a member of this culture allows more trades and the more you trade, instead of buying/shopping, the more you save.
In Barbara McKee’s Culture vs Community, he explains that people are born into a culture and someone just can’t choose to be in it. A person may not be born into GameTZ however, a member doesn’t become completely part of the bartering culture and valued until they have grounded deep roots and have become expert traders. A person doesn’t choose to be traded with, they are chosen by others and it takes time.
Audience Demographics for GameTZ.com
A web information company (Alexa.com) reported how popular GameTZ.com is (with each audience) relative to the general internet population.
Relative to the general internet population, 18-24 year olds and 45-54 year olds are greatly over-represented at GameTZ.com. Source: Alexa
There is a gap between 24- to 45-year-olds, which is usually the ages people are out there starting their career and don’t really have the extra and free time.
Relative to the general internet population, Males are greatly over-represented and Females are greatly under-represented at Gametz.com. Source: Alexa
Seeing as since gamers tend to be males and games are usually what traders barter on this site, it would make sense that the site’s demographic contains more males.
Relative to the general internet population, people who did not go to college and people who go to college are greatly over-represented at gametz.com. The audience for gametz.com among people some college education is similar to the general internet population. Source: Alexa
The largest education demographic for gametz users is college which makes sense since the largest age demographic is 18- to 24-year-old, the age that people are in college.
Within GameTZ, there are also smaller groups; one such group is called TZ Steam group which is open to all members. When a member joins, they will be connected to all the other Steam (icon that symbolizes steam found in icon index) users on GameTZ to chat, compare stats, and play games.
The members of GameTZ have general rules of conduct which are followed :
- The less experienced trader sends their half (of the trade) first.
- It is generally frowned upon by most communities to “thread cap” (refer to icon index for definition)
- Members, while trading any used items online, are sure to include the condition and quality of the product so as the receiver can determine its overall value.
- Only one membership/account per person is allowed.